[Itoshima Lunch] Juicy meat! A popular restaurant serving Kuroge Wagyu beef hamburger steak set meal with a rural view as a treat

Hello. I'm Shou Fujita, a gourmet writer who finds happiness in set meal lunches.

This time, we will introduce a popular set meal restaurant that has been loved by locals in the Sakurai area of Itoshima City for about 80 years.

Surrounded by the rural scenery of Itoshima. A popular restaurant loved by generations, "Itoshima Shokudo Homori" (Itoshima City)

Approximately 20 minutes by car from Chikuzen-Maebaru Station on the JR Chikuhi Line.

Itoshima Shokudo Homori is located along Prefectural Route 567 in the Sakurai area, which is home to tourist attractions such as Futamigaura and Sakurai Shrine.

This historic restaurant has been committed to using ingredients from Itoshima and making everything by hand for about 80 years, spanning three generations since its founding, and has continued to satisfy the stomachs and hearts of its customers.

Image: Sho Fujita

When it first opened, it was a local restaurant run by the grandmother of the current owner, Yoichi Ikeda, but about 20 years ago it moved to its current location and began offering prepared dishes made with Itoshima vegetables in a buffet style.

After that, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they switched to take-out bento boxes, and when Ikeda took over the restaurant, it evolved into the current set meal style about six years ago.

Image: Sho Fujita

It has now become a popular restaurant visited by a wide range of people, not just locals but also tourists, and is especially busy during lunchtime from 12:00 to 13:00.

There is parking space for 11 cars in front of the store, so you can wait your turn in your car by holding the call bell you are given after checking in.

Image: Sho Fujita

One of the great attractions of Itoshima Shokudo Homori is the glittering rural landscape that can be seen from the large windows at the front of the restaurant.

Image: Sho Fujita

The scenery changes with the seasons, soothing the hearts of visitors, and the glittering golden wheat fields in May are particularly spectacular.

Image: Sho Fujita *Photo taken in July

The spacious interior is filled with the warmth of wood and has counter seats by the window, as well as table and sofa seats, making it a relaxing place for everyone, from solo diners to families.

Image: Sho Fujita

Children's chairs and tableware are also available, and there is also a "children's set" (600 yen) for children up to the early elementary school years, so even those with small children can use the restaurant with peace of mind.

Image: Sho Fujita

You'll want to try everything! A carefully crafted set menu made with care

The current menu is a set meal style featuring side dishes such as the famous "Hand-made Hamburg Steak" and "Chicken Nanban."

Continuing the commitment to "handmade" since the restaurant's founding, the restaurant carefully hand-makes everything from the main dishes to the side dishes and dressings, avoiding the use of pre-made products wherever possible.

Image: Sho Fujita

Among the most popular are the set menus that come with two side dishes, such as the "Hamburg Steak & Chicken Nanban Set Meal" (1,580 yen), "Chicken Nanban & Fried Chicken Set Meal" (1,380 yen), and "Chicken Nanban & Fried Shrimp Set Meal" (1,480 yen).

The "Homori Gozen" (1,380 yen), which features a daily selection of simmered dishes and nine a la carte dishes, is also popular, allowing you to experience the "Homori taste" that has been passed down through the generations.

We tried the very satisfying "Hamburg Steak & Chicken Nanban Set Meal"!

On this day, I had the popular "Hamburger Steak & Chicken Nanban Set Meal," which comes with a 150g hamburger steak, two mini chicken nanban pieces, salad, rice, and soup.

Image: Sho Fujita

The hamburger steak is made with Itoshima pork, known for its soft texture and refined sweetness, and the rare neck meat of A5-ranked Kuroge Wagyu beef from Kyushu, which is specially ordered.

This luxurious dish is made with great care and effort, as the onions are fried for two hours to bring out their sweetness and richness to the fullest, then combined with the meat and carefully kneaded by hand before being slowly baked for 15 to 20 minutes.

Image: Sho Fujita

When you put your chopsticks into the meat, the plump cut surface releases juicy juices, and when you put it in your mouth, the powerful flavor of the meat spreads throughout your mouth.

You can choose from two types of sauce: the Japanese-style "Homemade Japonaise Sauce" and the rich and flavorful "Ganko Oyaji's Ginger Sauce."

Image: Sho Fujita

The "Homemade Japone Sauce" pictured has a refreshing yet satisfying taste, with just the right amount of acidity and the sweetness of onions. It's delicious not only with hamburger steaks, but also with accompanying vegetables and pasta.

Another dish you should definitely try is the "Chicken Nanban," which is based on a recipe that Ikeda's wife, who has experience cooking in restaurants and school lunches, has been making at home.

Image: Sho Fujita

Thinly sliced chicken breast is marinated thoroughly in sake, and then fried while carefully adjusting the temperature of the batter and oil, resulting in a fluffy and soft texture.

The generous amount of tartar sauce that is served on top is of course homemade, and has a rich flavor that makes you want to scoop it up with a spoon and savor every last drop.

The rice, which can be said to be the highlight of the set meal, is sourced from Itoshima in its brown rice form and is polished each time.

Image: Sho Fujita

By cooking the rice in several batches during business hours, the rice is always served fresh, which shows Mr. Ikeda's unwavering desire to "deliver truly delicious food."

The miso soup is made with rice miso made from Itoshima rice. The slightly sweet miso and the umami of the broth will slowly seep into your body, making it a comforting and relaxing bowl.

Image: Sho Fujita

The salad is topped with a homemade onion dressing that has a natural sweetness and mild acidity.

Image: Sho Fujita

This dressing is also sold for takeaway and goes well not only with salads but also with fried chicken and sashimi, and some people even come just to buy the dressing.

Image: Sho Fujita

Even during business hours, Ikeda walks around the restaurant, chatting amiably with customers, and cheerful laughter constantly fills the air at Itoshima Shokudo Homori.

Surrounded by a warm atmosphere and beautiful scenery, this is a place where you can relax and enjoy set meals filled with the sincere passion of Mr. and Mrs. Ikeda. (Text by Sho Fujita)

＜Click on the store name for more details about the store ↓＞
■Itoshima Shokudo Homori
Address: 2431-1 Shima Sakurai, Itoshima City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Business hours: 11:00 - 15:00 (last order 14:30)
Closed: Tuesdays
*This article is current as of the time of publication. *Prices in the article include tax.
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